Radio Free Flint Podcast

Author John Smolens is an award winning novelist whose historical fiction Day of Days tells the story of the tragic and shocking bombing of the Bath, Michigan Schoolhouse in 1927.

There were 45 people killed in that bombing and countless children and adults injured. In the spring 1927,

Andrew Kehoe, the treasurer for the school board in Bath, Michigan, spent weeks surreptitiously wiring the public school, as well as his farm, with hundreds of pounds of dynamite...

Ryan Lo'Ree, is the former leader of the Rollingwood Skins a white nationalist gang. He participated in this interview. Flint has its share of radical white nationalist groups.

Ryan Lo'Ree is a man with a life story made for a television drama production. He has emerged from the rough and tumble eastside of Flint. He eventually became caught up in Michigan's criminal justice system and joined a local neo-nazi hate group...

This Black History Month podcast is in honor of and dedicated to Evelyn Thomas Butts and her attorney Robert Segar of Flint, Michigan.  Evelyn Thomas Butts, an African American civil rights activist and politician in Virginia. She is best known for challenging the poll tax and took her case before the United States Supreme Court. Butts was part of the civil rights movement and later became an influential member of Norfolk politics...

Judge Duncan Beagle of Genesee County is a 3rd generation lawyer. He shares his growing up in Flint, community activities, and accomplishments.

Judge Duncan M. Beagle has lived a remarkable life. Judge Beagle has inspired, mentored, and coached courage and resilience while serving his community.

Judge Beagle's grandfather Charles Beagle was the Genesee County Prosecutor in the 1920s and practiced law for 56 years in Flint...

The KKK has been very active in Flint, Michigan since at least the 1920's.  Michigan has been a hotbed for white nationalist and KKK activity for 100 years.

This is a Radio Free Flint podcast essay on the history of the KKK, White Nationalists and other hate groups in Flint, Michigan.

The Klan organizes parades, picnics, social relief efforts and activities for children in Flint in years gone by...

Local news anchor Joel Feick stepped down from local television news after 35 years. He left familiar seat as "The People's News Anchor". Joel shares stories about his life as a reporter.  In this podcast, Joel shares his memories of the characters whom he covered as a journalist.  He also shares memories of colleagues and other reporters in the Mid-Michigan area.  He worked 27 years for ABC-12 and then 8 years at NBC25/FOX66 where concluded his career in broadcasting...

Norman Bryant is a former President of Flint Board of Education. At 85 years of age, he shares the history of the Flint Community Schools and high school athletics.

Norm is the founder of the Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame.

Norm provides a wonderful oral history of African American life in a northern US industrial community in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's...

Jermaine Reese, spent eighteen years as a Flint Police Officer. He shares his policing career, its highs and lows. He patrolled the Flint, Michigan neighborhood where he was raised.

What is life like in a City of Flint patrol car? What will it take for Flint's crime statistics to improve? What type of training for police will reduce abuse claims and lawsuits?

Dr. Reese explains that one of those challenges was being black and a policeman...

Pete "Fat Cat" Flanders is perhaps one of the best remembered radio personalities in the Mid-Michigan media market.  He is the owner of Musical Memories, a Flint record shop that specializes in vinyl record sales.

Pete recounts his 40 year history in Flint area radio sharing stories from his long career as a DJ, Concert Promoter and Businessman.  Pete worked at WHMM with its urban format and WTAC with its contemporary Rock format...

William S. Ballenger III of Flint, Michigan is a descendant of one of the founders of Buick, Chevrolet Motor Car Company, General Motors. Bill is a member of the family that philanthropically endowed the Flint area. Bill shares his family's history, accomplishments, and philanthropic activity. Along the way, Bill shares experiences about growing up in Flint and shares his memories of the late Charles Stewart Mott and family...